Harold James Steffens, 92, passed away on August 22, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born June 10, 1934 in Hooper, Colorado to Raymond and Charlotte Steffens, the eldest of two sons.

Harold spent his youth working on the family farm and ranch. He especially had fond memories of his beloved Grandpa Steffens who trained horses to work in hitched teams to pull farm equipment. It was hard work from sunup to sundown with his parents, brother Bob and extended family doing chores that included bringing in water from the well, feeding and tending the livestock, chopping wood to heat the house, and helping manage the crops. He attended Hooper schools graduating in 1952. In his spare time he learned to play the accordion. He was so proud to be big brother to Bob. They spent many hours together working, playing and getting into a bit of trouble now and again. Anytime the two of them were together, stories from the past would come up, and feeding off each other, they would relive special times commanding the entire room’s attention with laughter spilling out.

He married the cute little gal he met at a Stanley event who became the love of his life, Margaret Ann Entz. They shared 69 years of marriage and had four children together. His family was always his pride and joy and he enjoyed spending time and passing knowledge on to them every opportunity he got. He always had a sense of humor and liked to tease and cajole his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. It made for lots of laughs and good times mixed in with the mentorship and lessons of how to work hard, do a good job, be on time and always be respectful. He was always the first to lead by example, pitching in to help no matter the situation, even in his last days.

Harold spent most of life farming and ranching in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, growing crops of potatoes, barley for Coors and alfalfa, raising cattle, sheep and a few horses. He was dedicated to keeping up with the latest farming innovations. He enjoyed serving his community on numerous boards and participated in search and rescue.

Branching out from farming, he co-owned a Ski Doo Sales and Service Shop he and his partners, brother-in-law, Louie Entz and good friend (turned relative by marriage), Lewis Entz started from scratch. Steffens and Entz Sports Equipment started in Center and later moved into a new building they put up on Hwy 160. They learned a lot in this adventure and all family members were involved and enjoyed the hands-on time with the customers, machines and merchandise.

Harold was a proud veteran serving in the US Air Force as an aircraft radar mechanic, stationed at bases in CO, FL and AZ. Unfortunately, there was no hearing protection back then which led to his significant hearing loss that he struggled with for many years along with losing his sight due to macular degeneration.

Harold had a deep appreciation and love for the Colorado mountains and spent many hard working but happy days on horseback riding the trails, tending livestock at sheep camps, pack trips, fishing, hunting, and going on Jeep excursions. He had so much fun building and riding

tote gotes with his father-law, Everette Entz. Family favorites included snowmobiling, including multi day excursions in the back country, camping and boating. He and Margaret had a time share in a house boat at Lake Powell and enjoyed sharing many fun filled and happy times with family and friends over the years. Harold learned to fly and was a proud owner of several airplanes. His pride and joy being the Piper Super Cub he enjoyed flying around the farm country checking on crops. He and Margaret along with Rod also had some longer distance flying adventures to visit family in AZ and OK in the Cessna.

In 2006, Harold and Margaret moved to Oracle AZ and spent seven years there enjoying the beautiful desert landscapes with son, Randy and family nearby. They moved to Colorado Springs in 2014 to a senior living community and enjoyed many new friendships and activities during this time.

Harold had a special talent for recalling and sharing memories of days gone by. Those stories will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew him, especially the ones who are lucky enough to have written copies of a book he wrote for his family. It included photos from an extensive collection he had taken and accumulated throughout the years of his adventures, life and work. It is a treasure trove from the past that he spent many hours transferring from film to digital copies to share.

The most important legacy Harold worried about was his family. He would do anything for family, including kicking some butts or saying "Heck no” if that is what it took. He spent untold hours traveling to see sporting events, graduations, weddings or most importantly, just lending a hand when it was needed most. He had the ultimate confidence in his family to do the right thing because he modeled the behavior. He taught that learning from mistakes was why they were made in the first place and hard work, a positive attitude and relentless focus would overcome anything. He had a dry sense of humor and many hours were spent at family get togethers telling hilarious stories that had everyone laughing until their stomachs hurt. He will be greatly missed by many, but has left behind so many wonderful memories to look back on.

Harold is survived by his wife, Margaret Steffens of Colorado Springs, CO, daughter, Terry (Curt) Stults of Oklahoma City, OK, son, Rick (Nancy) Steffens of Windsor, CO, son Rod (Rosemary) Steffens of McQueeney, TX, and son, Randy (Brandie) Steffens of Terrell, TX.

His surviving grandchildren are as follows.

From Terry’s family: granddaughter Steffani (Joe) Grande of Coweta, OK and their family: great granddaughter Lauryn (Aiden) Schwenker with great great grandson, Maverick of Jenks, OK, and great grandson CJ Grande of Ft. Worth, TX, grandson, Brandon (Natasha) Wright with great grandchildren AJ, Clara and Miles of Collinsville, OK, grandson Dylan (Shanna) Stults of Salt Lake City, UT.

From Rick’s family: granddaughter, Karly Steffens of Dayton, OH, and grandson, Derek (Andee) Steffens of Hood River, OR.

From Rod’s family: granddaughter Kim (Aaron) Bright with great grandchildren, Katelyn and Lyal of Seguin. TX.

From Randy’s family: grandson Jeremy (Katie) Steffens with great granddaughters, Scarlett and Avery of Toivola, MI, and grandson Nathan Steffens of Lakeland, FL.

He is also survived by many extended family members including numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, who were all dear to him.

Preceding Harold in death were his parents, Ray and Charlotte Steffens, and his beloved brother, Dr. Robert “Bob” Steffens DVM.

A memorial gathering will be held October 8, 2026 from 1 to 3 pm at the Homelake Veterans Center in Monte Vista, CO - come and go as you please. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations in Harold’s honor to The Wounded Warrior Project (support.wounded warriorproject.org)